Monday, Jun. 27, 2022

Our walk today was dedicated in honor of:

Air Force Capt. Carl E. Jackson, Age 35 of Natchitoches, LA.
KIA/MIA Jun 27, 1965

Capt. Jackson is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on Panel 02E , Line 021

Loss Coordinates noted by the USG at time of loss: 101307N 1064405E (XT990095)
Loss Coordinates suspected by JTF-FA in 1998: 48P YT 02830 04566, near the
village of Xom Long Dinh
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: C123 [vehicle number not listed in USG downed aircraft
file]
Missions: Accumulated 4200 hours of flying time throughout his career in the Air Force, prior to his shootdown.
Other Personnel In Incident: Billie L. Roth, only other missing American —
14 more were “Chinese Nationalists.”
Refno: 0104
Source: Compiled from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S.
Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published
sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK with material provided by Alan Jackson, Carl Jackson’s son, in 1998. Updated 2003.
REMARKS: MID-AIR EXPLODE NE SAIGON-J [family conversations with former CIA
personnel contradict this USG statement]
SYNOPSIS: The Fairchild C123 “Provider” was a night attack system/transport aircraft based on an all-metal glider designed by Chase Aircraft. The airplane’s C123B prototype first flew on September 1, 1954. The C123B, in the hands of a group of airmen who called themselves “The Mule Train” became the first transport to see Vietnam service. The C123B transports were soon joined by UC123Bs of the now-controversial Project Ranch Hand which sprayed pesticides and herbicides over Vietnam, including Agent Orange.
The Provider, particularly in camouflage paint with mottled topside and
light bottom side, resembled an arched-back whale suspended from the bottom midpoint of huge dorsal wings. Like other transports, the Provider proved its versatility during the Vietnam war. The C123 also dispensed flares to illuminate targets for fighters or tactical bombers, and were dubbed “Candlestick” when they served in this capacity.
The MACV-SOG personnel in this incident were commanded directly out of the
Pentagon by JCS. One was not just assigned to this detachment, but rather
interviewed for it at the Pentagon, so the work was extraordinary even
applying Air Commando standards.
The aircraft had no standard markings on it, but were painted with a unique camo pattern of low-reflectivity black, green and brown paint. The aircraft was rigged with pylons on it. Runways were often replaced by landing on very wide roads. The 1131st flew only at night. They operated in a shroud of secrecy, no reports, no tail numbers due to MACV-SOG. All aircraft were sanitized as well as the nationality and individuality of those on board.
The idea was “just make it happen.”
Capt. Carl E. Jackson enlisted in the Air Force in 1953. He re-enlisted in the Air Force Reserve, active duty in 1960. He was one of the elite chosen to work with MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observation Group). MACV-SOG was a joint service high command unconventional warfare task force engaged in highly classified operations throughout Southeast Asia.
Capt. Jackson flew the C123 Provider in Vietnam. SSgt. Billie L. “Sam” Roth was on stand-by as a C123 cargo master, the night he was assigned to fly with Jackson. Jackson, Roth, and 14 “Chinese Nationalists” were on board the night the flight was reported downed. The co-pilot as well was Chinese. DoD de-classified this information in the mid ’90s.
The family of Captain Jackson was told that on Sunday evening, word had it
that Nha Trang was about to be under rocket and mortor attack. Jackson and
his commanding officer headed for the jeep. Jackson dropped off his C/O at
one aircraft and drove to his own. Apparently, the destination was Ton Son
Nhut air base.
June 27, 1965, while on final approach, Jackson’s C123 started receiving
ground-fire and subsequently crashed. Rescue crews arrived at the scene and found that there were no survivors. The FBI was brought in to fingerprint all on board however, and none of the bodies could be identified as Capt. Carl E. Jackson, USAF.
Throughout the years, the U.S. government has still not positively located
his crash site. There have been at least two sites that correlated with his flight. Further investigation of both sites proved negative results. It has been rumored that his aircraft was flying somewhere near North Vietnam and that his C123 did take ground fire and crash. No one knew for sure whether or not anyone survived. The aircraft supposedly crashed north of “Thud Ridge.”
Over the years, the Jackson family and the Roth family have personally
met to discuss the events. They have shared personal information with each
other as well.
On May 16th 1968, Chanute Air Force Base located in Illinios, dedicated
a building to Capt. Carl E. Jackson, the first casualty from Chanute in
Vietnam. The building was called, “Jackson Hall.”

UPDATE: FROM Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) December 2020:
“This mass casualty incident resulted in badly burned and commingled remains, the majority of which were Taiwanese citizens. None of the remains recovered could be identified as belonging to the two U.S. crew members. Accordingly, in accordance with the desires of the Republic of China government, the remains were cremated en masse, and divided among the families of the Taiwanese casualties, whence they have been placed in memorials in Taiwan.”

Dad will forever remain on foreign soil.

Today we had a great 11.24 Mile walk. We walked out on Northside Drive and then walked over behind Walmart and headed east on Woodlawn Road. We walked by The Flying Pig and got to chat with Kelly Shepheard for a few min. before heading back into town on Genesis Road. We stopped in at the War Memorial Park down town and then back north. As we was walking by Best One we seen a truck with Vietnam on the back and the owner came out and we got to talk to him for a few min. He was a Vietnam Veteran. It was great getting to talk with a brother who had fought in the same war as who I was walking with. We then headed on back to the house. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero. We had 181 honks. It was amazing. Thank You !

Air Force Capt. Carl E. Jackson will not be forgotten !